Load sharing bone plate

ABSTRACT

A load sharing bone plate has a plurality of directional apertures configured to effectively support and share the load with a fractured bone to promote healing. A load sharing bone plate may have a body portion that is thinner and be configured to be secured with smaller fasteners than conventional bone plates. A load sharing bone plate has a plurality of directional apertures, configured to direct a fastener is a specific orientation, such as in an oblique angle to the length and/or in an oblique angle to the width of the bone plate. A load sharing bone plate may be configured with a load sharing extension on at least one end that is configured to reduce stress concentration at the end of the bone plate. A load sharing extension may have a tapered thickness and/or width from the body portion to the extended end.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/807,585, filed on Nov. 9, 2017, and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,842,543 on Nov. 24, 2020, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/252,576, filed on Apr. 14, 2014 and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,814,503 on Nov. 14, 2017.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bone plates and bone plate systems to secure the bone plate to a fractured bone.

Background

Bone plates are attached across a fractured bone to support and hold the bone in place as it heals. Bone plates are made out of rigid materials such as stainless steel and titanium, for example, and shield the fracture from stress. Stress shielding a fracture with a stiff reinforcing bone plate can result in longer healing times as the bone, and particularly the fractured portion of the bone, bears little to no load.

In addition, bone plates are usually truncated in a manner to cause high stress concentrations at the end or ends of the bone plate. After a fracture heals with the aid of a bone plate attachment, there is a risk of a new fracture at the end of the bone plate due to these high stress concentrations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a load sharing bone plate system that employs a bone plate configured to effectively support a fractured bone while sharing the load with the bone to promote healing. A load sharing bone plate, as described herein, may have a body portion that is thinner than conventional bone plates and may have fasteners that are smaller than conventional fasteners. In an exemplary embodiment, a load sharing bone plate comprises a plurality of directional apertures, whereby a fastener configured therein is directed in a specific orientation through the bone. For example, a fastener may be directed in an oblique angle to the length axis of the bone plate, and in an oblique angle to the cross-length axis or across the width of the bone plate. In another exemplary embodiment, a load sharing bone plate comprises a load sharing extension on at least one end. A load sharing extension is configured to reduce stress concentration at the end of the bone plate and may comprise a tapered thickness and/or width from the body portion to the extended end of the load sharing extension. In still another embodiment, a load sharing bone plate is contoured to wrap around a portion of the bone. For example, a load sharing bone plate may have a bone contact surface that comprises a radius of curvature that substantially matches that of a bone that it is attached to. A load sharing bone plate may be used to repair any suitable type of bone fracture including long bone fractures, diaphyseal fractures, metaphyseal, epiphyseal, metadiaphyseal, intra articular, distal radius fractures and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, a load sharing bone plate is configured for a long bone fracture and has an aspect ratio of length to width of about 3.0 or more.

Proximal directional aperture, as used herein, is an aperture centrally configured along the length of a load sharing bone plate and configured to be proximal to a fracture when secured to a fractured bone. In one embodiment, a load sharing bone plate comprises two proximal directional apertures configured to be located on either side of a fracture and in one embodiment, a first proximal directional aperture is configured on first side of the load sharing bone plate and a second proximal directional aperture is configured on a second and opposing side.

Distal directional aperture, as used herein, is an aperture that is configured nearer the ends of a load sharing bone plate than a proximal directional aperture.

For brevity, the term bone plate is used synonymously with load sharing bone plate throughout the specification.

In an exemplary embodiment, a load sharing bone plate comprises a plurality of directional apertures that are configured to retain the bone plate with minimal fasteners. A directional aperture is configured to direct a fastener, secured therein, in a specific direction and in an exemplary embodiment, this direction is an oblique direction to the length axis of the bone plate and/or is an oblique direction to the width or cross-length axis of the load sharing bone plate. A directional aperture may be an integral directional aperture that comprises threads within the aperture to secure and retain a fastener in a specific direction to the bone plate. An integral directional aperture may have threads that are integral to the bone plate material, whereby the threads are cut into the bone plate material. In an alternative embodiment, an aperture, such as a directional aperture or integral directional aperture comprises an insert that is affixed to the bone plate and may comprises threads in the insert material. The insert may form an aperture the is directional. The orientation of threads within a directional aperture may be configured to force a fastener, such as a screw in a pre-determined direction. In addition, the threads may be used by a guide, coupled thereto, to enable a pilot hole to be drilled through the bone in the pre-determined direction.

In another embodiment, a directional aperture may be configured to receive a separate insert, or combination of inserts, that can be configured to force a fastener in a desired orientation. In some embodiments, an insert comprises a softer material than the fastener, and a fastener inserted therethrough may form threads in the insert. For example, an insert may comprise a polymeric material or plastic, such as a fluoropolymer, or a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) that is configured within a directional aperture. Any suitable material may be used as an insert however. An insert may comprise an aperture therethrough and this aperture may be directional to guide the fastener in an offset direction, and the aperture of the insert may be threaded. In one embodiment, an insert is configured with threads oriented to direct a fastener in a desired direction. A fastener may be turned, or screwed through the insert and the male threads on the fastener may cut into the insert material, such as PEEK material, to form female threads in the PEEK insert. The aperture in the insert in this example may be smaller than the diameter of the threaded portion of the fastener, or at least the aperture threads of the fastener. In this way, the bone threads of the fastener may easily extend through the aperture in the insert and then the aperture threads may cut into the insert to secure it in position. An insert may be attached to the directional aperture or may be a separate piece that is situated in a directional aperture before a fastener is configured therein. In an exemplary embodiment, an insert is coupled to a directional aperture and may have a portion that extends over the top surface and/or bone contact surface of the load sharing bone plate.

A fasteners of the load sharing bone plate system may have two threaded portions, a first threaded portion on the extended end having bone threads and a second threaded portion proximal to the head of the faster with aperture threads. The bone threads may be different threads from the aperture threads as the bone threads are configured to retain the extended end of the fastener in the bone and the aperture threads are configured to retain the fastener in the aperture. The bone threads may be substantially different from the aperture threads having a thread pitch or thread angle that is at least 20% different or more. As described herein, the directional aperture may have threads or the aperture may be configured with an insert and the aperture threads of the fastener may cut into the insert.

In one embodiment, a load sharing bone plate comprises a pair of directional apertures that are configured for orientation with respect to a fractured bone, proximal to the bone fracture. These proximal directional apertures may be configured to be oriented on either side of fracture and in some cases the directional aperture may be configured to direct a fastener from a first side of a fracture to an opposing side of said fracture. In this manner, a fastener head may be retained in the load sharing bone plate on a first side of the fracture and the extended end of the fastener may be retained in the distal compact bone on the opposing side of the fracture. In addition, a proximal directional aperture may be configured to direct a fastener across the width of the bone plate wherein the head of the fastener is oriented in the proximal directional aperture on one side of the bone plate from a centerline and the extended end is retained in the distal compact bone on a second side from the centerline or at a width offset from the fastener head. The two proximal fasteners may be configured to cross each other as they extend from proximal directional apertures on either side of a fracture.

In an exemplary embodiment, a load sharing bone plate comprises a plurality of direction apertures that are configured for orientation with respect to a fractured bone, distal to the fracture, or at some offset distance from the fracture. A distal directional aperture may be configured to direct a fastener in an oblique angle to the length axis of the bone plate, and across the width. In an exemplary embodiment, a directional aperture is configured to direct a fastener in both an oblique angle to the length axis and in an oblique angle to the cross-length axis, or across the width. A first distal directional aperture may be configured near a first end of a bone plate and may be configured to direct a fastener toward the first end, and from a first side from a centerline toward a second side from the centerline. A second distal directional aperture may be configured near a second end of the bone plate and may be configured to direct a fastener toward the second end, and from the second side of centerline toward the first side from the centerline. In this manner, the two distal fasteners may more effectively secure the bone plate to the bone and thereby reduce the need for additional fasteners or fasteners of larger size. Additional apertures for fasteners may be configured in a load sharing bone plate, as described herein, between the proximal and distal directional apertures, as required.

The directional apertures, as described herein, may be configured to direct a fastener in any suitable direction, and in an exemplary embodiment, a fastener is directed in a length angle, or angle along from the cross-length axis of at least about 10 degrees, at least about 15 degrees, at least about 25 degrees, at least about 40 degrees and any range between and including the length angles listed. In an exemplary embodiment, a directional aperture is configured to direct a fastener across the width, or cross-length axis, at least about 10 degrees, at least about 15 degrees, at least about 25 degrees, at least about 40 degrees and any range between and including the width angles listed.

In one embodiment, a load sharing bone plate comprises a slotted aperture that is configured to receive a fastener. A slotted aperture may be configured to enable some alignment and orientation of a bone plate with one fastener already secured within the slotted aperture or within another aperture. In addition, a slotted aperture may be configured to cause a bone plate to move or slide as the fastener is tightened into the slotted aperture. For example, a first fastener may be attached through a first aperture in a bone plate on a first side of a fracture and then a second fastener may be secured through a slotted aperture configured on an opposing side of the fracture, whereby tightening of the second fastener in the slotted aperture pulls the bone plate in a way to bring the first aperture and first fastener toward the slotted aperture. In this manner, the fractured bone is pulled together in compression as the slotted fastener is tightened. A slotted aperture may be configured in any suitable location on a load sharing bone plate and in an exemplary embodiment is configured along the centerline and toward one end of the bone plate.

In an exemplary embodiment, a load sharing bone plate, as described herein, has a plurality of apertures consisting essentially of two proximal directional apertures, two distal directional apertures and one slotted aperture. The two proximal directional apertures may be configured to be oriented on opposing sides of a bone fracture. The two distal directional apertures may be configured on opposing ends of a bone plate.

The unique configuration of the directional apertures and fasteners configured therein enables a bone plate to have a reduced thickness and still effectively support the bone. For example, a conventional stainless steel bone plate may be 3.5 mm in thickness for a diaphyseal fracture repair and a load sharing bone plate of the present invention may have a body portion thickness of no more than about 3.0 mm, no more than about 2.75 mm, no more than about 2.5 mm and any range between and including the thickness values provided.

A load sharing bone plate may have any suitable geometry and in an exemplary embodiment comprises an elongated portion that has an aspect ratio of length to width of at least about 3.0 or more, at least about 4.0 or more, at least about 5.0 or more and the like. In one embodiment, a load sharing bone plate consists essentially of an elongated bone plate that has a width that is substantially no greater than the body portion length. An elongated bone plate may consist essentially of a body portion that has substantially a uniform width, load sharing extensions configured on either end, and a plurality of directional apertures, as described herein.

A load sharing bone plate may comprise a load sharing extension on one or both ends of the bone plate. A load sharing extension is an extension from a body portion that is configured to reduce stress concentrations between the end of the bone plate and the bone to which it is attached. A load sharing extension may be tapered in thickness and/or width from a body portion. For example, a body portion of a bone plate may have a substantially uniform thickness and a load sharing extension may have a thickness that tapers from the body portion to the extended end of the load sharing extension. In addition, a body portion of a load sharing bone plate may have a width and a load sharing extension may have a width that tapers from the body portion width to the extended end of the load sharing extension. Any suitable tapering geometry or contour may be used. A load sharing extension may have a length, as measured from the body portion end to the extended end, that is any suitable length. In an exemplary embodiment, the load sharing extension has a length that is about 1.25 times the body portion width or more, about 1.5 times the body portion width or more, about 2.0 times the body portion width or more, about 3.0 times the body portion width or more, and any range between and including the load sharing extension lengths provided.

A method is provided for bracing and supporting a fractured bone comprising the steps of attaching a load sharing bone plate, as described herein, to a fractured bone. In one embodiment, a load sharing bone plate comprises two proximal directional apertures configured for orientation with respect to a fractured bone, on either side of the bone fracture, two distal directional apertures configured near the ends of the bone plate and one slotted aperture. In an exemplary embodiment, the bone plate is oriented over the fracture with the two proximal directional apertures on either side of the fracture. The load sharing bone plate is attached to the fractured bone by first securing a fastener through a first distal directional aperture located on a first end, or the opposite end of the slotted aperture. A fastener is then inserted through the slotted aperture and secured. In an exemplary embodiment, the slotted aperture is configured to draw the bone plate secured by the first distal faster towards the slotted aperture, thereby compressing the fracture. A fastener is then secured through the proximal directional aperture on the first end of the bone plate. A fastener is then secured through the proximal directional aperture on the second end, the same end as the slotted aperture. Finally, a fastener is secured through the second distal directional aperture. The load sharing bone plate may have load sharing extensions on one or both ends. In addition, a pilot hole may be drilled in each of the directional apertures and slotted aperture prior to inserting and securing a fastener. A drill guide may be coupled the apertures in any suitable manner. In an exemplary embodiment, a guide is temporarily coupled to an aperture by the threads in the aperture.

There is a need for a bone plate that can effectively support a fracture and share some of the load with the bone during healing. There is a need for a bone plate that does not create a stress concentration at the termination end of the bone plate.

The summary of the invention is provided as a general introduction to some of the embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to be limiting. Additional example embodiments including, variations and alternative configurations of the invention, are provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a top-down view of an exemplary load sharing bone plate configured over a fractured bone.

FIG. 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary load sharing bone plate shown in FIG. 1, along the centerline 46.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional representation of the exemplary load sharing bone plate along a fracture.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary load sharing bone plate having a distal directional aperture and a fastener secured therein.

FIG. 5A shows a cross sectional view of an exemplary directional aperture having threads that engage with the threads of a fastener.

FIG. 5B shows a cross sectional view of an exemplary directional aperture having threads that engage with an insert configured within a directional aperture.

FIG. 6 shows a top-down view of an exemplary load sharing bone plate with a distal directional aperture having a fastener secured therein at a length angle.

FIG. 7 shows a top-down view of an exemplary load sharing bone plate with a load sharing extension on a second end.

FIG. 8A shows a top-down view of an exemplary load sharing bone plate with a first distal directional aperture directing a first distal fastener at a length angle.

FIG. 8B shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary load sharing extension coupled to the body portion of a load sharing bone plate.

FIG. 9 shows a top-down view of an exemplary load sharing bone plate having load sharing extensions on both ends.

FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of an exemplary load sharing bone plate having two load sharing extensions.

FIG. 11 shows bone depicting various types of fractures, including diaphyseal, metaphyseal, epiphyseal, and intra-articular fractures.

FIG. 12 shows a top-down view of an exemplary load sharing bone plate secured over a diaphyseal fracture and having an articulation fixation portion.

FIG. 13 shows a top-down view of an exemplary load sharing bone plate secured over a metaphyseal fracture and having an articulation fixation portion.

FIG. 14 shows a top-down view of an exemplary load sharing bone plate secured over a diaphyseal and metaphyseal fracture having an intra-articular extension into the joint.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent an illustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale. Some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Also, use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications, combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments, combinations, modifications and improvements are within the scope of the present invention.

As shown if FIG. 1, an exemplary load sharing bone plate system 10 includes a load sharing bone plate 14 that is configured over a fracture 20 in a bone 12. The load sharing bone plate has a substantially elongated shape with an aspect ratio of greater than 3:1, with the length 40 being at least three times greater than the width 42. The exemplary load sharing bone plate comprises stress sharing extensions 18, 18′. These stress sharing extensions have a length 80 that is greater than 1.25 the width 42 of the plate. The ends of the load sharing extensions are rounded and the width 82 of the load sharing extension at the interface with the body portion 48 of the bone plate is shown. The exemplary load sharing bone plate comprises a plurality of directional apertures 16 and a slotted aperture 60. The directional apertures have fasteners 19 configured therein, and the shaft of the fasteners are shown in dashed lines. A first proximal directional aperture 62 and second proximal directional aperture 64 are configured proximal and on opposing sides of the fracture 20. The first proximal directional aperture 62 is on a first side 56 from the centerline 46 of the bone plate and proximal to a first end 54 from the bone fracture 20. The second proximal directional aperture 64 is configured on a second side 57 from the centerline and proximal to the second end 55 from the bone fracture. The fasteners configured therein span across the fracture and are configured at oblique angles to both the width and length of the bone plate. A first distal directional aperture 66 and second distal directional aperture 68 are configured nearer the first end 54 and second end 55 of the bone plate, respectively. The fastener in the first distal directional aperture extends toward the first end 54 and across the width from a second side 57 toward a first side 56 from the centerline of the bone plate. The fastener in the second distal directional aperture 68 extends toward the second end 55 and across the width from a first side toward a second side from the centerline of the bone plate. A slotted fastener 90 is configured in the slotted aperture 60 and is not configured in any substantially oblique angle to the width or length of the bone plate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the exemplary load sharing bone plate 14 shown in FIG. 1, has a plurality of fasteners that extend across the centerline 46 of the bone plate. The first proximal fastener 92, configured in the first proximal directional aperture extends from a first side toward a second side, and toward the second end 55. The second proximal fastener 94 configured in the second proximal directional aperture, not shown, extends from a second side toward the first side, and toward the first end 54. In this embodiment, the first and second proximal directional apertures extend across the fracture 20 and are configured to extend through the proximal compact bone 32, or compact bone adjacent to the bone contact surface 52 of the load sharing bone plate 14, and secure into the distal compact bone 34, or the compact bone opposite the bone plate. The first slotted fastener 90 is configured in the slotted aperture 60 and has a beveled head that seats within the slotted aperture. The first distal fastener 96 extends from a second side toward the first side and toward the first end 54. The second distal fastener 98 extends from the first side toward the second side, and toward the second end 55. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more of the fasteners has threads on the extended end to secure the fastener in the distal compact bone 34.

As shown in FIG. 3, an exemplary load sharing bone plate 14 has a contoured geometry that is configured to align with the outer bone surface. The top surface 50 and the bone contact surface 52 of the bone plate are both configured with a contour to that matches the outer contour of the bone and provides a substantially uniform thickness bone plate. FIG. 3 is a representation of the exemplary proximal fasteners 92 and 94 extending through a bone where they are secured in the distal compact bone 34. In this exemplary embodiment, the two distal fasteners cross each other within the bone as they extend from one side of the bone plate to an opposing side of the bone plate. The centerline 46′ of the bone plate is indicated by the dashed line extending through the load sharing bone plate 14 and bone 12. As shown, the fasteners have two threaded portions, a first threaded portion on the extended end having bone threads 91 and a second threaded portion proximal to the head of the faster with aperture threads 95. As shown, the bone threads are different threads from the aperture threads as the bone threads are configured to retain the extended end of the fastener in the bone 12 and the aperture threads are configured to retain the fastener in the aperture. As described herein the directional aperture may have threads 61, as shown in FIG. 5A that correspond with the aperture threads of the fastener, or the aperture may be configured with an insert 105, as shown in FIG. 5B and the aperture threads of the fastener may cut into the insert.

As shown in FIG. 4, an exemplary load sharing bone plate 14 has a distal directional aperture 62 and a distal fastener 92 secured therein. The load sharing bone plate has less of a contour than the load sharing bone plate shown in FIG. 3. Any suitable contour may be configured in one or more surfaces of a load sharing bone plate as described herein. The load sharing bone plate 14 shown in FIG. 4, has a width 40 and the fastener 92 has a width offset 74 that is the displacement width between the head of the fastener and the extended end of the fastener as measured across the width axis of the bone plate.

As shown in FIG. 5A, an exemplary load sharing bone plate 14 is configured with a directional aperture 16 having threads 61 that engage with the threads of the fastener 19. The width angle 70 is the offset angle of the length axis of the fastener from a perpendicular line drawn through the head of the fastener when secured in the directional aperture 16. The thickness of the bone plate 44 is shown in FIG. 5A.

As shown in FIG. 5B, an exemplary load sharing bone plate 14 is configured with a directional aperture 16 having an insert 105 configured therein. In one embodiment, the fastener 19 has aperture threads 95 that are configured to cut threads into the insert as it is screwed through the insert, thereby forming female threads 101 in the insert. The insert 105 shown in FIG. 5B extends beyond the top surface of the load sharing bone plate 14 but may be recessed whereby the insert is flush with the top surface of the bone plate. An insert may extend beyond the bone contact surface of the bone plate as well. An insert may have any suitable geometry to secure and couple an insert to the bone plate.

As shown in FIG. 6, an exemplary load sharing bone plate 14 has a distal directional aperture 66 having a fastener 19 secured therein at a length angle 72, or the offset angle of the length axis of the fastener from a line extending through the head of the fastener and extending in a cross-length axis direction. The length offset 76, or the distance that the extended end of the faster extends from the head of the fastener along the length axis, is shown.

As shown in FIG. 7, an exemplary load sharing bone plate 14 has a load sharing extension 18 on a second end 55. The exemplary load sharing extension tapers in the width dimension from the body portion 48 to the extended end. A load sharing extension may comprise notches, slits or other stress relieving features that extend in any suitable direction including along the length and/or width of the bone plate. The first end 54 of the load sharing bone plate has a rounded geometry. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary load sharing bone plate configured as a diaphyseal fracture bone plate consisting essentially of a body portion having a substantially a uniform width and a load sharing extension on a second end.

As shown in FIG. 8A, an exemplary load sharing bone plate 14 has a first distal directional aperture directing a first distal fastener at a length angle 72. The first end 54 of the load sharing bone plate is configured with a load sharing extension 18 having a first geometry and the second end 55 is configured with a second load sharing extension 18′ having a second and different geometry. The width 82 of the second load sharing extension 18′ is reduced along the length of the load sharing extension from the body portion 48 to the extended end. The slotted aperture is configured along the centerline and distal the fracture from the first distal directional aperture 66. As shown in FIG. 8A, the load sharing extension 18′ is made of a material that is different from the material of the body portion 48. The load sharing extension may be coupled to the body portion through any suitable means including an interference fit coupling, adhesive, welding and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, a load sharing extension consists essentially of a different material than the body portion of the load sharing bone plate. For example, a load sharing extension may be made out of PEEK and the body portion of the load sharing bone plate may be made out of stainless steel or titanium. In another embodiment, a load sharing extension is made out of a softer or more flexible metal than the body portion of the load sharing bone plate.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the load sharing extension 18′ is coupled to the body portion 48 of the load sharing bone plate 14 through an interference fit coupler 85. A coupler, such as the interference fit coupler 85 shown in FIG. 8B may also act as a flex feature, whereby the load sharing extension can flex as indicated by the large arced arrow.

As shown in FIG. 9, an exemplary load sharing bone plate 14 has load sharing extensions on both ends. A first distal directional aperture 66 directs a first distal fastener 96 toward a second end 55 and from a second side 57 toward a first side 56. A second distal directional aperture 68 directs a second distal fastener 98 toward a first end 54 and from a first side 56 toward a second side 57. FIG. 9 shows an exemplary load sharing bone plate configured as a diaphyseal fracture bone plate consisting essentially of a body portion having a substantially uniform width and a load sharing extension on either end.

As shown in FIG. 10, an exemplary load sharing bone plate 14 has two load sharing extensions 18 and 18′ that have a tapered thickness. The first load sharing extension 18 is configured with a flex feature 87 that may allow the extension to flex in response to a stress or load and thereby further reduce the stress concentration in the bone near the ends of the load sharing bone plate.

As shown in FIG. 11, a fractured long bone 13 has a metaphyseal fracture 27, a diaphyseal fracture 23 and an intra-articular fracture 25 that extends up into a joint. A long bone may be described as having epiphysis portions 28, 28′ on either end of the bone and a diaphysis portion 22 configured therebetween. A load sharing bone plate, as described herein, may be used to secure and repair fractures in long bones as shown in FIG. 12-14, for example.

As shown in FIG. 12, an exemplary load sharing bone plate 14 is secured over a diaphyseal fracture 23 and has an articulation fixation portion 59 that is configured to be secured to an epiphysis portion 28 of the bone 12. The load sharing bone plate 14 has an elongated portion 49 that extends from the articulation fixation portion to the second end 55 of the bone plate, and the elongated portion has an aspect ratio of more than 3.0. The exemplary elongated portion shown in FIG. 12 comprises a body portion 48 that has a substantially uniform width and a stress sharing extension 18 configured at the second end 55 of the bone plate. Any number of fasteners 19 may be configured in an articulation fixation portion of a load sharing bone plate and the geometry of the articulation fixation portion may be any suitable shape to conform to the particular bone shape. The articulation fixation portion has a greater width than the elongated portion, as shown.

As shown in FIG. 13, an exemplary load sharing bone plate 14 is secured over a metaphyseal fracture 27 and has an articulation fixation portion 59. The first and second proximal directional apertures, 62, 64 respectively, are configured on opposing sides of the metaphyseal fracture 27. A plurality of fasteners 19 are configured on the first end 54 of the bone plate and in the articulation fixation portion. A distal directional aperture 68 is configured proximal the second end 55 of the bone plate from the proximal directional apertures. The load sharing bone plate 14 has an elongated portion 49 that extends from the articulation fixation portion and the elongated portion has an aspect ratio of more than 3.0.

As shown in FIG. 14, an exemplary load sharing bone plate 14 is secured over a diaphyseal fracture 23 and a metaphyseal fracture 27 having an intra-articular extension 25 into the joint, or extending to the joint end 24 of the bone 12. The first and second proximal directional apertures, 62, 64 respectively, are configured on opposing sides of the diaphyseal fracture 23. A plurality of fasteners 19 are configured in the articulation fixation portion of the bone plate, and one or more of these fasteners may be directional apertures. In addition, one or more of these directional apertures may be oriented in relation to the metaphyseal fracture and/or intra-articular fracture to direct a fastener from one side of the fracture to the opposing side of the fracture. The fastener may have a head portion on one side of the fracture and an extended end secured into the bone on an opposing side of the fracture. A distal directional aperture 68 is configured proximal to the second end 55 of the bone plate from the proximal directional apertures. The load sharing bone plate 14 has an elongated portion 49 that extends from the articulation fixation portion, and the elongated portion has an aspect ratio of more than 3.0.

A directional aperture may be configured in any suitable location on a load sharing bone plate, as described herein, to secure the bone plate to the bone.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications, combinations and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may be modified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications, combinations and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A load sharing bone plate system comprising: a plurality of fasteners; a bone plate comprising a body portion comprising: a) a top surface; b) a bone contact surface; c) a length; d) a width; e) a first end; f) a second end; g) a first side from a centerline; h) a second side from a centerline; i) a body portion having a thickness; k) a plurality of directional apertures comprising: a first directional aperture; and a second directional aperture; l) a polymeric insert configured in at least one of the plurality of directional apertures.
 2. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 1, wherein the first directional aperture that is configured proximal to a fracture and wherein the second directional aperture is configured proximal to a fracture on an opposing side of said fracture from said first directional aperture.
 3. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 2, wherein the fracture is an intra-articular fracture.
 4. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 2, wherein the first directional aperture is on the first side and nearer the first end of said bone plate; wherein the second directional aperture is configured proximal to a fracture on a second side and nearer the second end of said bone plate than said first proximal directional aperture; wherein said first proximal directional aperture is configured to direct a first fastener of the plurality of fasteners at an oblique angle along the length toward the second end, and across the width toward the second side; and wherein said second proximal directional aperture is configured to direct a second fastener of the plurality of fasteners at an oblique angle along the length toward the first end, and across the width toward the first side.
 5. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises PEEK.
 6. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of directional apertures comprises a polymeric insert.
 7. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first fastener or second fastener has bone threads and aperture threads.
 8. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 7, wherein the bone thread has a substantially different thread pitch from a thread pitch of the aperture threads.
 9. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 7, wherein the bone thread has a substantially different thread angle from a thread angle of the aperture threads.
 10. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 1, further comprising an interference fit coupler configured on said first end; a load sharing extension coupled to the body portion by said interference fit coupler and extending from said first end of the body portion to an extended end; wherein said load sharing extension has a tapering thickness from the body portion to the extended end of said load sharing extension; wherein the load sharing extension is configured with a tapering width from the body portion to the extended end; and wherein the load sharing extension has a solid cross section.
 11. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 1, wherein the load sharing bone plate has an aspect ratio of length to width of more than 3.0.
 12. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 1, further comprising an interference fit coupler configured on said second end of the body portion and a second load sharing extension coupled to the body portion by said interference fit coupler on the second end and extending from said second end of the body portion to the extended end.
 13. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 1, wherein the load sharing extension is made of a polymeric material and wherein the body portion is made of a metal material.
 14. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 1, wherein the load sharing extension is made of PEEK.
 15. The load sharing bone plate system of claim 1, wherein the interference fit coupler comprises a recess on the first end and wherein the load sharing extension comprises a protrusion configured in said recess.
 16. A method of bracing a bone fracture comprising the steps of: a) providing a load sharing bone plate system comprising load sharing bone plate comprising: i) a top surface; ii) a bone contact surface; iii) a length; iv) a width; v) a first end; vi) a second end; vii) a first side from a centerline; viii) a second side from the centerline; ix) a body portion having a thickness; and x) a plurality of directional apertures comprising: a first proximal directional aperture configured proximal to said bone fracture, on the first side and nearer said first end of said bone plate; a second proximal directional aperture configured proximal to said fracture on the second side and nearer said second end of said bone plate; wherein said first proximal directional aperture is configured with a width angle and a length angle to direct a fastener at an oblique angle along the length toward the second end, and across the width toward the second side; wherein said second proximal directional aperture is configured with a width angle and length angle to direct a fastener at an oblique angle along the length toward the first end, and across the width toward the first side; a first distal directional aperture configured distal said bone fracture and proximal the first end of said bone plate; a second distal directional aperture configured distal said bone fracture and proximal the second end of said bone plate; wherein said first distal directional aperture is configured with a length angle to direct a fastener at an oblique angle along the length toward the first end; wherein said second distal directional aperture is configured with a length angle to direct a fastener at an oblique angle along the length toward the second end; wherein said first distal directional aperture is configured on the second side and the second distal directional aperture is configured on the first side; wherein said first distal directional aperture is configured to direct a fastener across the width from said second side to said first side; and wherein said second distal directional aperture is configured to direct a fastener across the width from said first side to said second side; xi) a polymeric insert configured in at least one of the plurality of directional apertures; b) configuring said load sharing bone plate over a diaphyseal or metaphyseal fractured bone having said bone fracture in a portion of said bone with said first proximal directional aperture to one side of said fracture and said second proximal directional aperture to an opposing side of said fracture; c) providing a plurality of fasteners; d) inserting a fastener from the plurality of fasteners into each of said directional apertures; and e) securing said fasteners into the bone, whereby said load sharing bone plate is attached to the bone to support the bone on either side of said fracture.
 17. The method of bracing a bone fracture of claim 16, wherein the insert comprises PEEK.
 18. The method of bracing a bone fracture of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of directional apertures comprises a polymeric insert.
 19. The method of bracing a bone fracture of claim 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of fasteners has bone threads and aperture threads.
 20. The method of bracing a bone fracture of claim 19, wherein the bone thread has a substantially different thread pitch from a thread pitch of the aperture threads. 